Chelsea's David Luiz urges Roman Abramovich to bag Neymar

29 March 2011 11:05

David Luiz has urged Chelsea to break the bank again and add Neymar to the growing Brazilian contingent at Stamford Bridge.

The ?39million-rated Santos forward enhanced his reputation by scoring both goals as the South Americans beat Scotland 2-0 at the Emirates on Sunday.

Neymar, 19, already earns the equivalent of ?3million net from Santos, his home-town club, but they realise they have a valuable commodity on their hands.

Superstar: Brazil's Neymar announced himself to the world with two goals against Scotland

Neymar remained in London with his agent Wagner Ribeiro on Monday and spent time with Pini Zahavi, who played a key role in Roman Abramovich's Chelsea takeover and has the mandate to sell the young Brazilian in England.

Abramovich spent more than ?70m in the January transfer window on Fernando Torres and Luiz, who admits he would welcome another Brazilian joining him, Alex and Ramires at the club.

'I would love it if Neymar came to Chelsea,' said Luiz, who has enjoyed an excellent start to his career in England. 'He is going to be one of the best players in the world.'

Cultured: Neymar's exquisite first goal showed a class and composure way beyond his years

Did you know? On April 15, 2010, Neymar scored five goals in the 8-1 drubbing of Guarani in the Copa do Brasil.

Neymar turned down the chance to jointhe Barclays Premier League champions last summer and instead trebled his money by agreeing a new five-year deal at Santos.

The?40,000-a-week deal included promises by the club to raise his profile across Europe and increased the buy-out clause in his contract to ?39m. Chelsea are thought to be sticking at ?30m.

The diminutive forward has averaged a goal every other game for Santos since making his debut as a 17-year-old and one a game in three appearances for Brazil since winning his first cap against the United States in August. It was during Brazil's stay in America that Sportsmail revealed Santos's plans to report Chelsea to FIFA over their pursuit of the wonder kid - a claim denied by the English club.

Ownership issues raised doubts about the ease of a transfer, with Santos having a 55 per cent share in the player and private investors a 45 per cent share.

However, despite the complexity of the deal, Chelsea have continued to monitor the situation, and Abramovich sent his personal talent spotter Piet de Visser to the South American Under 20 Championship last month to watch Neymar in action. He was not disappointed as Brazil won the tournament and Neymar was the top scorer with nine goals.

Inevitable comparisons with Pele have followed him from an early age, with the Brazilian media labelling him O Novo Rei (The New King).

Prize asset: Santos worked tirelessly to tie Neymar to a new deal in order to push his price up

Real Madrid, Manchester United and both Milan clubs have made approaches at different stages of his career. West Ham also made a ?12m bid last summer, ?5m less than Chelsea offered several days later.

Neymar's pace and footwork is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil team-mate Robinho. Like both, he can operate wide in an attacking three or up front. However, there are doubts over whether he has the physical or mental toughness for the Premier League.

Neymar is conscious that Robinho failed to deliver on his talent - and sizeable transfer fee - at Manchester City and doubts linger in his mind. Speaking after the win over Scotland, he said: 'The (Emirates) stadium is great; the pitch is, too. The (English) weather I don't like all that much, but I could get used to it.'

That was after a match played on a beautiful March afternoon, a million miles away from a trip to Stoke in December.

Tumbling down: Neymar frustrated at times on Sunday, falling under little pressure from the Scots

He would come with baggage, too. Last April he apologised to Santos, along with Robinho and team-mate Paulo Henrique Ganso, for refusing to take part in an Easter event at a charity care home for cerebral palsy sufferers. The players refused to get off the bus, citing religious conflicts of conscience.

Neymar was also fined and suspended following a clash with then manager Dorival Junior over who should take a penalty in a league game last September - an episode which ultimately cost the boss his job.

In October, Neymar almost came to blows on the training ground with senior Santos player Marcel having taken exception to a practical joke directed at team-mate Ze Eduardo and, after Sunday's game, Neymar alleged he had been racially abused by sections of the crowd, claims he later admitted he would not follow up with an official complaint.

Yet Chelsea remain committed to signing one of the brightest prospects in world football.

Silky shoes: Several of the Scotland players, including Charlie Adam, admitted they couldn't handle the talented teenager

Neymar showed both sides of his game on Sunday, with some delightfully deft touches and dazzling footwork but also a propensity to go to ground at the slightest sign of physical contact.

Zahavi said: 'We were all very happy with his performance at the Emirates.'

Blackpool's Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam is in no doubt what the Brazilian could bring to English football.

'You can't judge the player just now because he's not even played in the Premier League,' said Adam. 'But the quality he's got, he would light up the Premier League.'

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